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Chapter 70 school-aid amendment rejected

Sentinel & Enterprise

Updated:
04/28/2014 06:30:18 AM EDT

By Bob Katzen

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Last week was April vacation week for all public schools in the state. Keeping with tradition, each branch held only brief, informal sessions during school-vacation weeks and there were no roll-call votes. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports the votes of local senators on three roll calls from prior sessions.

MORE LOCAL-AID OPTION (S 2039): Senate 31-7, rejected an amendment to resolutions stating the intent of the Legislature to hike Chapter 70 school aid by $100 million and unrestricted local aid by $25 million.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment. A "No" vote is against it.)

NO: Sens. Stephen Brewer, James Eldridge, Jennifer Flanagan.

REGISTRY MODERNIZATION (S 2023): Senate 28-10, rejected an amendment that would provide independent third-party oversight of a $63 million program to improve and modernize the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment. A "No" vote is against it.)

NO: Sens. Brewer, Eldridge, Flanagan.

BRIDGE REPAIRS FIRST (S 2023): Senate 34-4, rejected an amendment that would prevent the undertaking of any new capital expansion transportation projects and instead prioritize projects and make the repair of structurally deficient bridges the first priority.

(A "Yes" vote is for the amendment. A "No" vote is against it.)

NO: Sens. Brewer, Eldridge, Flanagan.

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ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

LEGALIZE POT (H 1632): The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a proposal that would legalize, license, regulate and tax marijuana and allow adults older than 21 to grow it for their personal use and the use by others older than 21.

PROTECT ANIMALS (S 1914): The Judiciary Committee also heard testimony on The Act Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety that would create a statewide registry of animal abusers that would have to be checked by animal shelters, pet stores and breeders before a person is allowed to buy or adopt the pet. Other provisions include establishing an anonymous animal-abuse tip hotline; increasing penalties for cruelty to animals; and allowing law-enforcement officers, in cases of emergency, to enter private property without a warrant to protect against the imminent death or serious injury of an animal.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK'S SESSION? During the week of April 21-25, the House met for a total of one hour and 44 minutes and the Senate met for a total of 23 minutes.

FLUFFERNUTTER (H 2868): The House gave initial approval to a bill filed by former Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein of Revere that would make the Fluffernutter the state's official sandwich. The Fluffernutter is a sandwich made of peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff, invented by North Shore natives Allen Durkee and Fred Mower and still locally owned and manufactured in Lynn. The bill has been filed for several years but has never made it through the Legislature.

IMMUNITY FOR GIVING POOR RECOMMENDATION (H 4011): The House gave initial approval to a bill giving civil immunity to school administrators who "in good faith" disclose information about a former teacher's or other employee's job performance to a prospective employer. Supporters said this would help ensure that a school district could give a frank and honest response when asked for a reference check without fear of successful lawsuit by a former employee.

ANTI-BULLYING (S 2055): Gov. Patrick signed into law a bill adding some provisions to the state's 2010 anti-bullying law that requires all public and private schools to develop and implement a plan to prevent bullying and to discipline bullies. The new law requires that each plan provide specific and additional protections for students who may be more vulnerable to become targets of bullying based on several factors including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex and sexual orientation. It also requires schools to annually report bullying data to the state.

Supporters said these changes will enhance the law and save countless children from a lifetime of physical and emotional scars and worse.

TOILETS AND SHOWERS MUST BE EFFICIENT (H 4007): The House gave initial approval to legislation that would prohibit the sale of any plumbing fixture, toilet or urinal in the Bay State unless it meets the water-saving performance standards outlined in the legislation. Supporters said the bill will promote and ensure water conservation. They argued the bill is well balanced and allows manufacturers to be environmentally responsible while still providing a fair and reliable supply of products to consumers.

HOUSING AUTHORITIES (H 2128): The House gave initial approval to a bill requiring local housing authorities to post the names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of their commissioners on the wall of the community center of each of their housing developments and on their state websites.

Supporters said that currently tenants who need help have to call the Massachusetts Housing Authority and navigate through a maze of general information and listen to an extensive recording before they can even begin looking for simple assistance. They argued the bill would make it easier for tenants and applicants to reach their local commissioners and to contact building managers.

OFFICIAL COWBOY (S 1622): The House gave initial approval to a proposal making Rex Trailer the official cowboy of Massachusetts. Trailer, who died in January 2013, hosted the local children's show "Boomtown" from 1956 to 1974 and was involved with many charitable causes. In 2012, before his death, the Tourism Arts and Cultural Development Committee recommended approval of the same bill. The measure was then sent to the Senate Ethics and Rules and no further action was taken on it.

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